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jeff rawlinson

Jeff is the Education Manager in the Communications Division with Game and Parks where he has worked for the last 15 years. He oversees the Hunter Education, Boater Education, Hunter Outreach and Shooting Range Development for the Commission and is a devout hunter, angler, wildlife viewer, naturalist, father and husband. He holds a BS and MS from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He has been a Hunter Education Instructor for over 20 years, NRA firearms instructor and range officer, National Archery in the Schools Program Archery Instructor Specialist and member of the National NASP Board, sits on the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Hunter Recruitment and Retention Committee and Education Committee. Jeff is an avid handgun hunter, loves to chase turkeys in the spring, squirrel hunting enthusiast and philosopher of the outdoors. He is an avid shooter and loves to spend outdoor time with family and friends. He has a passion for exciting others about the outdoors. A history buff, Jeff is a strong supporter of our North American Model of Conservation and tries to spread the message of its importance and relevance every chance he gets.

Hung Up Toms

A lot of turkey hunters ask me about this because it can make a hunt tough when that old Tom gobbles but then hangs up just out of range or fails to come in.  I have had that happen many times and there are a few tricks to help. First understand that when a Tom responds to your calls, keeping him gobbling may not be the best thing to do.  I have seen guys call back to a Tom several …

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Turkey Gut

Maybe it was the lack of beef that led me to think I would never make this morning hunt past 9am but this short fat guy was starving.  I had not eaten for 10 hours (a feat rarely attempted by me). In fact, my stomach was making so much noise, groan here, groan there, I could not imagine a turkey getting within 50 yards of my blind.  I had watched turkeys earlier in the morning perform their ritual strut in …

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Early Season Tom Taking Tips

I thought this season would never arrive.  Just ask my wife…I am sure she is sick of me talking about turkeys already.  I played with may calls, shot my bow, played with my decoys…heck I’ve even been dreaming about turkeys but alas….we are in the thick of it!  Here are some early season tips that may just help you bag that tom before most of your buddies have even dusted off their decoys.  Don’t forget…the youth shotgun season starts this …

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Skills I Have Learned from Hunting

February and March just seem like the months for reflection.  Maybe Hershy hit the nail on the head when he said February-March were the months for planning…for me it is reflection.   I was born with really only one skill.   Had to learn the others.  Now when I say learn…I use that term loosely because life is full of trial and error.  Some years more error than trial.  When I was 12 I started reloading my own ammo.  I won’t suggest …

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Become a Volunteer Hunter/Bowhunter Education Instructor

Have you ever thought how fun and rewarding it would be to become a Nebraska Hunter or Bow-hunter Education Instructor and give something back to the sport you love?  Here is your opportunity!  Trainings in Lincoln are held once in spring and once in fall (generally) so don’t delay.  Having been a Hunter Education Instructor for over 20 years, I can tell you it is pretty rewarding.  I have been able to meet some of the neatest people in the …

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Outdoor U

It started around a year ago.  I could not wait to release a new program we had been working on called “Outdoor U” and once released, I could not wait to participate.  Outdoor U is a new program that allows hunters, anglers, campers and shooting sports enthusiasts to track their recreational and life learning activities and obtain various achievement levels.  Each level says something about you.  In the beginning, well you start out as a Pathfinder.  For newbies, this is …

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Nebraska Outdoors Radio Show

Hey folks, join Hershy and Me this evening as we talk with Mr. Walleye himself, Daryl Bauer on the Nebraska Outdoors Radio Show.  We will discuss ice out fishing and some of Daryl’s favorite techniques and tackle that pay off big time in March as well as lots of upcoming outdoor pursuits to keep you busy in late February to early March.  Join us every Thursday evening from 6-7pm on Lincoln’s own KFOR 1240 AM. Rawly

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The Great Migration

Folks you are about to witness one of the greatest natural wonders  in the entire world play out right in front of your eyes in good old Nebraska.   It has been happening for hundreds of thousands of years, it is critical to the survival of many species, and it plays out in dramatic fashion on the stage set in central Nebraska.   The great spring migration.  Millions of ducks, geese, and cranes are beginning to pour into the Cornhusker state.  While …

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What’s That Smell?

“What’s that smell?”  It was cold out and the wind was sustaining tornado like forces as I struggled to hear my own predator calling.  The weather app said rain but but this is crazy!  Actually, it was an entire series of crazy!  Nothing had gone right up to this moment.  I don’t know if you’ve ever had hunts like this but I am thankful they only come around ever so often for me.  It started with the alarm clock….actually it …

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Out With A Bang

I could not resist.  It was cold, bitter cold, but I had to get out just one more day to enjoy one of my favorite hunts…squirrel with a handgun.   Usually it is a single action pistol but this time it had to be the racier semi-auto.  Good thing…I needed it! I sat for over an hour knowing full well that the squirrels would be holed up in a tree den, defying the arctic cold temps and wind.  I tried calling …

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